via Reuters
Beijing 2022 Winter Paralympic Games – Para Alpine Skiing – Men’s Downhill Sitting – National Alpine Skiing Centre, Yanqing district, Beijing, China – March 5, 2022. Andrew Kurka of the United States in action. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes
via Reuters
Beijing 2022 Winter Paralympic Games – Para Alpine Skiing – Men’s Downhill Sitting – National Alpine Skiing Centre, Yanqing district, Beijing, China – March 5, 2022. Andrew Kurka of the United States in action. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes
The Beijing Winter Paralympics 2022 is underway, with top-class athletes competing at the highest level. One such athlete who showcased his talents is Andrew Kurka. He is a US Paralympian skier who won the gold medal at the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Paralympics. However, his latest Paralympics venture ended abruptly. After suffering a crash, he leaves Beijing, finishing fourth in the downhill competition.
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Thus, it was a disappointing Olympics for the talented skier who, despite crashing, offers a source of inspiration for many people.
US Paralympian finishes the race with a broken thumb
Sports insider Mark Dreyer gave an update on his Paralympics and talked about the athlete finishing the race with a broken thumb and humerus. During the Winter Olympics, officials found it hard to conduct the competitions which led to postponements. Even Kurka talked about the winds at the venues being dangerous for the athletes. The strong winds can cause skiers to lose their control and cause serious injuries.
“The wind here is brutal and dangerous I didn?t feel it was safe to run. But it could?ve been worse, and I still gave it my all,” said Kurka.
"The wind here is brutal and dangerous I didn’t feel it was safe to run. But it could’ve been worse, and I still gave it my all."
Defending Paralympic champ Andrew Kurka (USA) finished 4th in the men's downhill sitting – all with a broken thumb and humerus. What a warrior. https://t.co/YqjM5si5xN
— Mark Dreyer (@DreyerChina) March 6, 2022
With the problems he faced, it takes an incredible amount of courage to compete in the race with the problems he had. Hence, he vowed to return after four years and give it all, in the next Winter Paralympics.
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“I?m preparing to depart the Olympic village and I wanted to make this post as a promise. That despite broken bones. Despite tears and pain. I will always be a competitor and that you?ll be seeing me again in 4 years. I have no regrets and I will ALWAYS give it my ALL,” said Kurka.
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What a champion!
Winning a gold and silver medal at the 2018 Winter Paralympics, Kurka was the favorite heading to this year’s competitions. Before he made his way to the Paralympics, Kurka was a six-time Alaskan state champion in freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling. The wrestler was then introduced to skiing and took the sport from there.
via Reuters
Beijing 2022 Winter Paralympic Games – Para Alpine Skiing – Men’s Downhill Sitting – National Alpine Skiing Centre, Yanqing district, Beijing, China – March 5, 2022. Andrew Kurka of the United States in action. REUTERS/Aly Song
Thus, the Winter Paralympics did not go as planned as he heads back to the US, disappointed. But, the passion and commitment shown to compete with the injuries he had is memorable. The inspirational athlete will start with his recovery and try to get back to winning ways.
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